RADIO
A big battle among Eastern Conference contenders goes Thursday in Toronto, with the Milwaukee Bucks visiting the Toronto Raptors. At 36-13, the Bucks have the best record in the Eastern Conference, a half game ahead of the Raptors, who sit at 37-15.
Perhaps most interesting, statistically, about the Bucks is that they have the league’s best score differential, by a lot, winning by an average of 9.4 points per game. The Golden State Warriors rank second, with an average score differential of 7.3 points per game.
That makes this a marquee matchup for a midseason, end of January game. A good test for two of the league’s best. With that being said, here are some angles to consider when making your picks tonight on Monkey Knife Fight. Click here to learn more about how Monkey Knife Fight works.
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MILWAUKEE-TORONTO
OVER/UNDERS
Kawhi Leonard OVER 27.5 POINTS – In his past dozen home games, Kawhi has scored at least 28 points seven times, but finished with 27 points three times! In a big matchup like this against the Bucks, he’s going to be the Raptors’ go-to option on offense.
Giannis Antetokounmpo OVER 11.5 REBOUNDS – The Greek Freak has recorded at least a dozen rebounds in seven of his past 12 road games. Every so often he gets kept off the glass, and might only finish with eight boards, but he’s been in double digits in 18 of his past 24 contests.
Kyle Lowry UNDER 9.5 ASSISTS – He racked up big assist totals early in the year, but Lowry has gone eight straight home games without hitting double-digit assists. Not sure that the Bucks are the antidote to his declining assist numbers.
RAPID FIRE FORMAT
Kawhi Leonard -0.5 rebounds vs. Pascal Siakam – This isn’t lopsided at all, but Kawhi is averaging 8.0 rebounds per home game while Siakam averages 7.1. Adding 0.5 isn’t enough to get there, on average.
INDIANA-ORLANDO
OVER/UNDERS
Nikola Vucevic UNDER 19.5 POINTS – This number is a pretty fair midpoint, as Vucevic has scored 20 or more points in six of his past 13 road games, so on average he’s likely to slip under, and the Pacers might still be a little better than average.
Terrence Ross OVER 2.5 THREE-POINTERS – Ross is averaging exactly 2.5 threes on the road this season, but has recorded three or more in 13 of 23 contests. That, coupled with the absence of Victor Oladipo and how that could hurt Indiana’s perimeter D, nudges Ross towards the over.
DALLAS-DETROIT
RAPID FIRE
Dwight Powell +3.5 rebounds vs. Blake Griffin – Normally, this would tilt to Griffin just based on playing time, but with DeAndre Jordan getting traded to the Knicks, Powell should be in position to grab big minutes tonight and with those minutes will come boards. On a per-minute basis, he out-rebounds Griffin, so if the minutes stay close, this is set for Powell to surprise.
BROOKLYN-SAN ANTONIO
OVER/UNDERS
Ed Davis OVER 8.5 REBOUNDS – The journeyman forward has become a big-time rebounder for the Nets, putting up 64 in his past six games, and that’s without big minutes. Even in a reserve role, he can hit double digits.
RAPID FIRE
Jarrett Allen -0.5 steals + blocks vs. LaMarcus Aldridge – While Aldridge will shoulder a bigger offensive load, blocks and steals fall right into Allen’s wheelhouse.
LAKERS-CLIPPERS
RAPID FIRE
Tobias Harris -0.5 three pointers vs. Kyle Kuzma – Their home/road splits give Kuzma a slight advantage, even though this game is in his home arena too. However, Kuzma is questionable for the game, so if he’s maybe a little off health-wise, that could be the edge that Harris needs.
PHILADELPHIA-GOLDEN STATE
OVER/UNDERS
Stephen Curry OVER 28.5 POINTS – In 18 home games this season, Curry has scored at least 29 points nine times. But a nationally-televised game seems like the kind of game for Steph to go off.
Ben Simmons UNDER 9.5 REBOUNDS – There aren’t a lot of 7-foot guards running around, and Simmons could go for double digits. It’s been known to happen, but it’s about a 50-50 shot on average and the Warriors are better than average.
